Ohhh yes, I know what you mean! Before we had kids I have been called the one who is giving away "special" gifts... as they have never been out of plastic or loud!

I still prefer wooden toys, such as our wooden kitchen, wooden bricks (plain pure beech and I love the creativity that is coming out of the buildings of my tall girl and daddys and the little man destroying them (sigh)), Brio railways I love as well, and the wooden animals you have on your photo - we have for our crib (for christmas).

I think with giving the kids some special toys you make them more creative than buying them everything one sees. A chair that is lying on the floor is a counter where goods are sold, a wooden brick (bridge) is a telephone, ...

I too am a wooden toy fanatic. My parents held to that standard (my dad was a sculptor and painter and would carve me a toy if we couldn't find what I was looking for (a sailboat once, a seal family, a pony). Unfortunately my mother-in-law will not be convinced to comply, and continues to bring the plastics and the disney crap (pardon my language, but it does make me angry). It's a silent but ongoing battle.

My ideas are sowed, sprouted, nursed and raised with greatest care. I try to find inspiration from my direct surroundings, my heart and soul. Please do not use any Photographs and Designs without my permission. Thank you